‘Churches that defy IATF rules face closure’

THE government on Tuesday announced it is ready to shut down churches which will violate the ban in mass gatherings for the duration of the “travel bubble” in Metro Manila and its surrounding areas.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque issued the statement in response to the pastoral instruction released by the Archdiocese of Manila, where it said it will open its churches to religious worship during the travel bubble albeit with reduced capacity and stricter health protocols.

“Within our churches, starting March 24, we will have our religious worshipwithin10percentofourmaximum church capacity,” Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillosaidinthepastoralinstruction.

Roque said the issuance is considered a “defiance” of the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) resolution 104, which banned mass gatherings including religious activities, in the National Capital Region, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal and Bulacan, which are collectively known as NCR plus, for the duration of the “travel bubble” from March 22 to April 4, 2021.

“That will be contrary to the decision of the IATF [resolution] and we ask Bishop Pabillo not to encourage, the disregard of IATF rules,” Roque said.

Police powers

PABILLO slammed the IATF for passing its latest issuance, allegedly without stakeholder consultation and for violating the principle of the separation of the church and state.

Roque belied the claim that the new resolution is covered by the principle of separation of church and state.

“What is covered [by the principle] is the freedom to believe and the freedom not to endorse a religion. But in the exercise of police powers, we can order the churches closed. We hope it will not come to that,” Roque said.

Aside from Pabillo, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Vice President Pablo Virgilio David also criticized IATF Resolution 104.

He noted how the issuance banned religious gatherings, particularly the Holy Week celebration, but still allowed gym, spas and other personal care establishments.

But on Tuesday, Roque said the Metro Manila mayors have jointly decided to also temporarily close down the gyms and spas for the duration of the “travel bubble.”

The “travel bubble” is part of the government’s measures to slowdown the increase in new novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases by restricting movement to and from NCR plus, but with minimal impact on the economy.